MACQUARIE Scorpions have a chance to maintain outright third position on the Newcastle rugby league ladder when they host last-placed Port Stephens at Toronto on Saturday.
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Macquarie consolidated its hold on third position with a 44-8 win over Kurri Kurri on Sunday.
The win puts Macquarie on 16 competition points, two adrift of second-placed Souths and six behind ladder leaders Wests.
But Macquarie has a catch-up game to play. So Souths' second spot is under threat.
Souths will, however, enjoy a certain two points this weekend with the bye.
Macquarie's Shane Beale scored a hat-trick in Sunday's win at Kurri Kurri.
The Scorpions led 22-4 at half-time and did not relax in the second half.
Macquarie football secretary Stephen Woodbridge said it was a good win against a Kurri Kurri side which had defeated Cessnock the previous week.
"Coach Barrie Moore was extremely pleased with the way in which the side never let up in the second half," Woodbridge said.
"He also reinforced with the players the need to keep their heads down and work hard over the next few weeks to consolidate their position on the competition ladder as one loss could put the pressure right back on in the push towards the semi-finals."
Macquarie's reserve grade and under-23s also recorded wins, lifting the club into third place in the club championship.
The action starts at Lyall Peacock Field this Saturday at 11am with the under-18s. First grade kicks off at 3pm.
